Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She's trying to break out of prison--even though if she succeeds, she'll be the Commonwealth's most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit's grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn't know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother's whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner. An NPR Best Book of 2013

Ah, Marissa Meyer has done it again! Cinder was one of my Top 10 Reads of 2012, so of course I anxiously awaited the sequel. I did get a little worried though, as information about Scarlet started hitting the web saying a character based on Red Riding Hood was going to be a focus. So the big question was whether or not our beloved cyborg was still going to be in it. Even though we were assured she was very much in the book, I still had a tiny bit of trepidation because I wondered if it would have the same feeling as Cinder. Ha! I had nothing to fear. Scarlet was wonderful, though I can’t say whether I liked it more or less than Cinder. I love them equally.

I loved how the story unfolded in Scarlet. Scarlet and Cinder don’t know each other, but their lives are about to collide in a big way. The book picks up the day after Cinder left us hanging, and what happened at the ball is all over the news. We’re introduced to Scarlet, who lives in France. Her grandma has been missing for two weeks, but she knows that there is foul pay involved, even if no one else thinks so. She’s bound and determined to find her, and Wolf is just the guy to help.

As they embark on their quest to save grandma, Cinder must stay out of Queen Levana’s clutches. Equipped with the tools and new parts Dr. Erland snuck into the prison for Cinder, she uses them to sneak her way out. Along the way she acquires a new … friend. Captain Carswell Thorne. More on him later. As they try to unravel the mystery of Princess Selene, pieces of the puzzle are put together separately by Cinder and Scarlet. And then Bam! Everything connects beautifully. I really do love when a story is laid out that way.

I absolutely loved all of the new characters! Of course I love my Cinder, but Scarlet is a great character too. She’s a couple of years older than Cinder and is one feisty chick. She’s strong and not afraid to say her piece. I also had a major soft spot for the relationship with her grandma. Oh, and Wolf, you soft-spoken, mysterious, street fighter, you! I liked Scarlet and Wolf together and enjoyed their story a lot. Though I didn’t get all swoony over Wolf alone, I did get a little swoony for their relationship.

As much as I liked Scar and Wolf, I couldn’t get enough of Cinder and Throne. Don’t worry, it’s not romantic. Kai is still very much on her mind. But the banter and chemistry between Cinder and Throne had me laughing a lot. Thorne. My love. Fans of Torchwood should appreciate this character, because he has Captain Jack written all over him, with some Flynn Rider from Tangled sprinkled in. Only funnier. I can’t even imagine the book without him!

“I know, I know. She seems a little”— crossing his eyes, he swirled both fingers around his ears—“ but it’s really part of her charm, once you get to know her.”

I demand a novella focused on Thorne. Okay, not demanding. I’m begging and pleading for one! C’mon Marissa Meyer, bust it out!

Seriously, this series rocks. It has action, romance, mystery, humor, and great characters. Anyone can throw that combination of stuff into a book, but not all can do it as well as Marissa Meyer. The way all of the new characters in each book are weaved into the overall story is brilliant. I am fully confident that the rest of the series will be just as good as the first two books.

It’s weird that I didn’t like Cinder nearly as much as I probably should have, but people keep telling me Scarlet is better. I already own the audio so I’ll definitely be reading it soon. I’m glad you enjoyed the new characters as well as the old ones… it says a lot about Meyer’s skill.
Great review.

I adored Thorne as well. When I had Marissa on the blog for FIre and Ice she said he was modeled a bit after Han Solo and one other dude. I mean he is so funny and all that. I just loved him. I am glad you loved this one as well. Great series! I cannot wait for Cress.

Yes! Thorne was SO great! So glad you weren’t disappointed! I think we all were a tad scared but then pleasantly surprised at how well the new characters were weaved in. It’s a long year until the next book!

Cinder and Scarlet seem to be such big hits! I admit I was very reluctant to try Cinder, I mean cyborg Cinderella?!? I’m not even much of a retelling person but since there are so many great reviews I decided to try it and since I was gifted a copy of Cinder I finally will soon!

YESSSS! Gosh, yes. Scarlet was great….but I love Cinder. And Scarlet’s relationship was great…but I love the dynamics between Cinder and Thorne even though it is (and should be) strictly platonic. Great review!